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{{sprotected2}} '''Feces''', '''faeces''', or '''fæces''' (see [[spelling differences]]) is waste product from an animal's [[gastrointestinal tract|digestive system tract]] expelled through the [[anus]] (or [[cloaca]]) during ''[[defecation]]''. In humans, defecation may occur (depending on the individual and the circumstances) from once every two or three days to several times a day. Hardening of the feces may cause prolonged interruption in the routine and is called [[constipation]]. The word ''faeces'' is the plural of the [[Latin]] word ''fæx'' meaning "dregs". There is no singular form in the English language [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3400]. The distinctive odor of feces is due to [[bacterial]] action. Bacteria produce compounds such as [[indole]], [[skatole]], and [[thiol]]s ([[sulfur]] containing compounds), as well as the inorganic gas [[hydrogen sulfide]]. These are the same compounds that are responsible for the odor of [[flatulence]]. Consumption of foods with spices may result in the spices being undigested and adding to the odor of feces. Certain commercial products exist that can reduce the odor of feces. The feces of animals is often used as [[fertilizer]]; see [[manure]]. Some animal feces are used as fuel when dried out. == Related terminology == [[Scatology]] is the study of feces. Informally, the words "excrement," "crap," and "poop" have become synonymous with feces. The word "[[shit]]," which is not slang but is historically the basic word for feces in [[English language|English]], is now considered vulgar. [[Coprophilia]], also known as ''[[fecophilia]]'', is a sexual attraction to fecal matter. [[Coprophobia]], also known as ''[[fecophobia]]'', is a strong fear of feces or human excrement in general. [[Coprophagia]] is the consumption of feces, which is normal behavior in certain [[animal]] species, but rarely practiced by [[human|humans]]. A [[coprolite]] is fossilized feces. == Human feces == {{main|Human feces}} [[Image:Human Feces.jpg|thumb|left|Human feces]] [[Human]] fecal matter varies significantly in appearance, depending on diet and health. Normally it is semisolid, with a [[mucus]] coating. Its brown coloration comes from a combination of [[bile]] and [[bilirubin]], which come from dead [[red blood cells]]. In newborn babies, fecal matter is initially yellow/green after the [[meconium]]. This coloration comes from the presence of [[bile]] alone. In time, as the body starts expelling bilirubin from dead red blood cells, it acquires its familiar brown appearance, unless the baby is breast feeding, in which case it remains soft, pale yellowish, and not-unpleasantly scented until the baby begins to eat significant amounts of other food. Throughout the life of an ordinary human, one may experience many types of feces. A "green" stool is from rapid transit of feces through the intestines, and "clay-like" appearance to the feces is the result of a lack of bilirubin. Bile overload is very rare, and not a health threat. Problems as simple as serious [[diarrhea]] can cause blood in one's stool, turning it black. Food may sometimes make an appearance in the feces. Common undigested foods found in human feces are seeds, nuts, corn and beans, mainly because of their high [[fiber]] content. Consistency and shape of stools may be simply classified medically according to the [[Bristol Stool Scale]]. == See also == *[[Bristol Stool Scale]] *[[Cloaca (art)]] == External links and references == {{wikicommons}} *[http://www.heptune.com/poop.html A FAQ site on poop] * [http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/units/biochem/coursenotes/blanchaer_tutorials/Frank_II/urobilinogen.html Short but detailed biological explanation of why feces are brown] * [http://www.mcevoy.demon.co.uk/Medicine/Pathology/Biochem/Liver/Biochem.html Liver biochemistry] * ''History of Shit'' by Dominique Laporte. ISBN 0-262-62160-6 * [http://www.medfriendly.com/feces.html MedFriendly's Article on Feces] [[Category:animal physiology]] [[Category:Waste]] [[Category:Feces|*]] [[bg:Изпражнения]] [[cs:Výkal]] [[da:Afføring]] [[de:Kot]] [[es:Heces]] [[eo:Feko]] [[fa:مدفوع]] [[fr:Matière fécale]] [[io:Feko]] [[it:Feci]] [[he:צואה]] [[id:Tinja]] [[lt:Išmatos]] [[nl:Ontlasting]] [[ja:糞]] [[no:Avføring]] [[pl:Kał]] [[pt:Fezes]] [[ru:Кал]] [[simple:Feces]] [[su:Tai]] [[fi:Uloste]] [[sv:Avföring]] [[vi:Phân]] [[zh:糞便]] [[yi:צואה]]

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